DCU Center goes to the dogs

Hundreds of canines of all sorts, sizes and colors are visiting the DCU Center this weekend for the annual Worcester County Kennel Club dog shows.

And these aren't your usual mutts from the pound.

There are affenpinchers; Afghan hounds; Airedale terriers; Akita sweeps; Akita veteran sweeps; Akitas, the more generic kind of species, we guess; American Eskimo hounds, American foxhounds, American Staffordshire terriers and Australian shepherds.

And that's just the list of breeds that begin with the letter A.

You get the picture.

Lots and lots dogs.

Yesterday, a number of the four-legged creatures pranced and preened before watchful judges, their owners hoping to get a chance at winning a prized ribbon.

Jill Hopfenbeck, the show's chairman, said about 850 dogs were exhibited yesterday and another 800 will take part in the event sunday.

A number of dogs were also on hand on Friday for competitions for specialty dogs.

Ms. Hopfenbeck said the shows drew dog lovers from all around the Northeast and Canada.

She explained that each breed was judged on its particular points.

"Each has its own particular traits," Ms. Hopfenbeck said, as a group of trainers and handlers were set to put their light chocolate-colored Rhodesian Ridgebacks, known for the crest of spine that protrudes from their backs, through their formal motions.

Across the first floor exhibit hall, a handful of German shepherds were going through their paces.

Officials said there are contests for each breed. The winners then compete in groups that include hounds, terriers, toy and herding dogs.

A best of show is also chosen.

There are no specific qualifications for entrants, but each participant must be registered with the American Kennel Club.

The exhibiting of their dogs is a labor of love, said many owners.

They said they spend thousands of dollars to breed certain types and thousands more to maintain them.

"You really have to love doing this," said Lise Cere of Quebec, who brought three dogs to the show.

Her almost 6-month-old pup, Dulca, had won best of breed for the German Short-Haired Pointers.

With the win, Dulca was eligible to compete in the group of breeds that included Labradors.

While the judging was going on, many other dogs were being groomed. Nails were checked, hides were brushed, and the tiniest smudge of dirt was cleaned away.

But as the dogs were treated as kings and queens, signs on the doors of the front entrances to the convention center ironically said the canines could only access the facility through the rear side of the building.

And one young lad enjoying a snack at the concession stand amusingly thought aloud that it wasn't proper to serve hot dogs at the event.

The club was founded in the late 1800s, and like similar canine associations, was established to promote and protect purebreeds from around the world.